STARTED DOGS

Marble Mountain Kennels is proud to offer a few fine started dogs each year. Below are some pictures of dogs we have placed to happily hunt and live with their new owners. Click here to read some Marble Mountain started dog owners’ comments.

HANK
(FC AFC Barracuda Blue MH x Misty)


 GLACIER
(FC AFC Jazztime Rascal x MM’s Juneau)

Availability

We have found that often by the time we have the pups trained and ready for the website they have already sold. So our current strategy is to just have people inquire at the time of their interest. Often started dogs are sold 6-18 months in advance. This is due to demand and allows us to tailor the training to the individual hunter. Occasionally we also have trained companion dogs for sale. To check on availability of started or companion dogs email pete@kiddercreek.org.

 

Training

Most started dogs are 9-15 months old and have 4-7 months of training. They have been exposed to and should respond well to the following.

  • Solid basic obedience including sit, stay, heel, come, mat, kennel, and good house manners
  • •Have a good quartering pattern for upland hunting
  • Understand “Whoa” and have natural point sharpened
  • Be steady to wing & shot
  • Have 20-50 birds shot over them
  • Practice a good retrieve and delivery
  • Be introduced to basic blind manners
  • Be able to hold for & retrieve double marks in a duck hunting scenario

It should be remembered that started dogs have a basic sense of obedience to commands and have been exposed to many crucial aspects of hunting. They are not finished, and will need further exposure and training to see them advance in their proficiency as first class hunting and household companions. It is our hope that we can make you aware of areas of strength and weakness in each animal, so there is little in the way of surprise. It is recommended that the new owner pick up his dog in person. This will allow for some very helpful familiarizing of the new owner.
References can be provided upon request.

BABE
(GMPR Otter MH x Kenya of MMK)

 RIDGE
(Kid MH x Sunny)

Cost & Guarantee

Started dogs can cost anywhere from $2500-$4000 depending on many variables including:

  • Level of training
  • Pedigree
  • Natural pointing ability
  • Quality and prospects for breeding or competition
  • Gender
  • Health testing done

Started dogs have the same 26 month guarantee on health issues
(see puppy reservations) that any Marble Mountain Kennels puppy has. If it is found that a dog cannot be bred due to genetic health problems, a puppy of equal breeding will be given to replace the started pup. There will be no refund for the training time of the dog and there should be no expectation that the replacement will be trained.

Once a pup has been received, the new owner has two months to assess its training ability. After that point no refunds will be made for anything other than genetic diseases. This is because all pups’ training will regress unless some tune-up training is used to keep them sharp.

REA
(FC AFC Cuda’s Blue Ryder x Chena of MMK)

 COPPER
(Rip MH x MM’s Juneau)